Goth killer's sentence reduced

ONE of two teenage boys who murdered a young woman in a Lancashire park because she was dressed as a Goth has won a reduction in his sentence at the Court of Appeal. The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, and two other judges in London cut the minimum term to be served by Ryan Herbert, 16, from 16 years and three months to 15 years and six months.

ONE of two teenage boys who murdered a young woman in a Lancashire park because she was dressed as a Goth has won a reduction in his sentence at the Court of Appeal.

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, and two other judges in London cut the minimum term to be served by Ryan Herbert, 16, from 16 years and three months to 15 years and six months.

But they rejected a bid by his co-accused Brendan Harris to have his 18-year minimum sentence reduced.

At Preston Crown Court in April this year Harris, of Spring Terrace, Bacup, who was convicted of gap-year student Sophie Lancaster's murder after a trial, was sentenced to life, with the 18-year minimum - the least he must serve before he can apply for parole.

Herbert, of Rossendale Crescent, Bacup, who admitted murder, was also sentenced to life, with a minimum of 16 years and three months.

Miss Lancaster, 20, was killed by repeated stamps and kicks to her head as she lay defenceless trying to protect her injured boyfriend Robert Maltby, 21, in Stubbylee Park, Bacup in August 2007.

Three other youths involved with Herbert and Harris in the savage attack on Mr Maltby had sentence appeals rejected by the three judges today.